Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Private High School

We made the paper! such amazing memories!!!! https://www.facebook.com/tworowtimes/posts/480873462067843

A special Nyawehgowa goes out to the students of Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo High School. You made us proud in every single one of our territories by speaking your language, listening to all the speakers who had sage advice to give to our kids, for bringing songs and dances to each territory, for their attentiveness to the beauty of this journey and for being open to picking up the responsibilities of our ways! You left smiles on the faces of all you met! The traditional Hodinosyoni people are proud to see you all being so committed to your learning! Nyaweh! You showed them how healthy we can be as a people when we decolonize the minds of our children! Oyanre swagwego!

The final leg of the trip was much needed! Day 9 brought us to the beautiful Ohi:yo! Where Andrea Cook spoke to the kids about the importance of language learning, how language shifts work in our communities and the healing properties that come with language retention! Nyaweh Bebe for your awesome advice! We promise to hold our heads high in pride when we speak and to be encouraging and kind in this life!

Day 8!!!! Brought us to Seneca Country in Tonawanda! Jaimie Jacobs was able to meet us and take us into the Hodinosyoni vault at the Rochester Museum. He also brought us to the replica longhouse Ganondagan where he explained some things about the Seneca chief titles and war chief responsibilities. He also talked with them about when the Peacemaker visited the Senecas.

Day 7 of the Peacemaker's Journey was another amazing day! We were overjoyed to take our time and stop in at the new Gayogohono community Cayuga Lake! We were welcomed with open arms and hearts to a place that has not had ogwehowe people for a long time! Nice to see Cayuga People, in Cayuga Territory, speaking Cayuga Language for the first time in hundreds of years! They fed us, put us up in a hotel and put on a social to celebrate out journey! Nyaweh Cayuga Lake Community! It was heartwarming to see our people reconnecting to our roots!

Day 6 of the Peacemaker's Journey took the students to Onondaga territory where they heard about the story of Tadadaho and his hardships before accepting Gayensragowa into his life. Nyaweh to Jake Edwards for the talk on Great Law, our original wampum belts, the strength in our government when everyone picks up their responsibilities and explaining the importance of asserting our sovereignty! Later on in the day Elva Jamieson did the first four strings ceremony for the students to help them release any grief they have been carrying. That evening Jarrett White and some friends from Onondaga nation provided us with supper and put on a social to boost our spirits after such an intense learning experience! Nyaweh Jake, Elva and Jarrett! It was a great day in Onondaga territory!

We ended day 5 with a brief visit to Oneida, NY aka 32 acres. We stopped at the cultural center and their longhouse and community center area. Here Elva discussed some of the teachings she received on the first Peacemaker's Journey she attended. The boys honoured the Oneida area by doing the Oneida Role Call on Oneida land!

Day 5!!!! Of the Peacemaker's Journey was extra special! We made a nice big breakfast at Tom's and after breakfast we played a game called Adenahak. It was so much fun and Tom was so funny! He taught a brief mathematics lesson and showed us how we can teach real world concepts while having fun! Tom even gave us a set of the game with rules so we could play at home as well. After our game of Adenahak he talked to the students about the time of the Peacemaker when he began stan...ding up chiefs in the Mohawk and Oneida territories. Tom also gave everyone some beautiful words of encouragement and shared some of his Grandma's teachings. His message to us was to learn as much as we can so we can all continue to be Ohgwehowe! Nyawh Tom! You said everything we needed to hear it was truly an honour, we will carry your words with us in our hearts forever! See more

We ended day 4 of the Peacemakers Journey with a relaxing night at Kanatsohareke! We were able to spend the night with Tom Porter and his family. This night was full of fun, singing, dancing, laughing and was an all around good ol K/G time!

Day 4 started in the beautiful Cohoes Falls! This is the place where the Kanienkehaka tested the Peacemaker. We met up with Elva Jamieson a former teacher and current board member ( #kg4life lol). She shared with us some stories of Cohoes and the importance of sacred places such as this! Nyawh to our honoured teachers Elva, Joyce and Skahendowaneh for all the lessons you have brought to the journey! Some of us were lucky enough to see some eagles here as well! It's amazing what nature will show you with just a little acknowledgement!

Day 3 con't ... From Kanienke we travelled to Ray Fadden's Six Nations Indian Museum where we learned about Ray, his and his son and grandson's artwork. It was nice seeing the artifacts Ray collected and hear stories he told. Nyaweh John an Dave Fadden!

Day 3 of the Peacemaker's Journey brought us to our friends in the sovereign Mohawk territory Kanienke where they showed us all about their self sufficiency plan! Nyaweh Kanienke for your hospitality! Your territory is beautiful!